I have always believed that leadership is measured less by titles than by the people you lift along the way. Much of my time outside the classroom has been devoted to youth advocacy, education, and creating spaces where young people feel heard, capable, and safe. As State Vice President of the California Association of Student Councils (CASC), I support student leaders across twelve regions, helping them organize conferences, navigate challenges, and represent their peers. I also helped grow a youth-led debate accessibility initiative into an international nonprofit through Eloquence Academy, expanding opportunities for students who might otherwise lack access to public speaking and critical-thinking programs. My community involvement is also hands-on. As a tutor at Mathnasium, I work one-on-one with children of diverse backgrounds and abilities. Many arrive anxious or convinced they are “bad at math.” Watching their confidence grow is one of the most meaningful parts of my week. These experiences have shaped my goal of pursuing a career at the intersection of law, business, and education, where I can strengthen organizations that serve young people. As I enter higher education, my financial need stems from the high cost of attending strong academic programs relative to my family’s resources. My father is investing heavily in building his law practice, and my older brother is completing his degree at the University of California, Berkeley. We fall into a gap where we do not qualify for substantial need-based aid yet cannot comfortably absorb the full cost of out-of-state or private tuition. Scholarships would allow me to attend the university that best fits my academic goals—such as the University of Michigan Ross School of Business—without incurring burdensome debt before pursuing law school, another significant financial burden. Keeping children safe, both in person and online, is a responsibility I always take seriously. In student leadership, I emphasize inclusive norms and proactive conflict resolution so that bullying behaviors are addressed early rather than ignored. When I was counseling a group of students as a leadership development counselor at CASC Summer Camp, one of my students made a distasteful joke about the Confederacy. I immediately said, "Hey, I don't think we should joke about that", making it clear to the group that that kind of language could be harmful. I pulled the student aside later to have a conversation about history, empathy, and respect, trying to create constructive conversations instead of more division. I made it clear to my group that I was a resource if they wanted to talk. When organizing conferences, I help establish clear expectations for respectful conduct and ensure adults are present and accessible. As a tutor, I focus on creating a psychologically safe environment where mistakes are treated as part of learning, not something to ridicule. Online safety requires additional vigilance. I encourage younger students to think critically about what they share, to document harmful interactions, and to seek trusted adults rather than responding impulsively. Within youth organizations, I advocate for moderated communication platforms and clear reporting channels for cyberbullying. Most importantly, I try to model empathy and digital citizenship because culture is shaped by what leaders tolerate and what they challenge. Whether it's a friend, a stranger, or a student acting in a harmful way or saying something insensitive, I've learned that it's best to have those courageous conversations to create cultures of comfort. As I mentor students, organize programs, or simply listen, I strive to create communities where young people feel protected and empowered. I hope to carry that commitment into my future career, ensuring that institutions serving children are not only effective but safe, equitable, and humane.